Over the past month, AAPA staff have been settling into their spaces at the new headquarters in Washington, D.C. To celebrate and give members, partner organizations, and supporters of seaports in government the opportunity to check out the new space, AAPA hosted an Open House on July 21. Guests enjoyed food and beverages while networking and exploring the modern office. The new location offers easy access to Reagan National Airport and Capitol Hill for out-of-town visitors. AAPA is excited to be in its new space, and thanks U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter Defazio (D-OR), Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), Congressional staff, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration staff, U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System staff, and its many industry partners who came out to celebrate!

Attend the 2021 AAPA Annual Convention & Expo September 26-29 and experience for yourself the energy among attendees, exclusive content and insights to enhance your professional growth. AAPA's Annual Convention is a must-attend event for port professionals, maritime transportation leaders and industry innovators. Gain valuable knowledge participating in the high-level business program, networking salons facilitated by key leaders in the maritime industry, convention events and exhibitor experiences. The convention kicks off with an opening address from AAPA's Chairman Mario Cordero, presentation of this year's AAPA Lighthouse Awards, the 2021 Professional Port Manager program graduates, and builds on convention traditions attendees have come to appreciate. 

 

Visit the Annual Convention website for the full business program, slate of notable speakers and additional events during the convention’s four-day run at the JW Marriott Austin. The hotel will be fully booked soon, so register today for the AAPA Annual Convention to secure your hotel reservation. 

We hope to see you in Austin! Contact Mary Beth Long to become a sponsor or Direna Cousins for an exhibitor prospectus.

This week, Chris Connor, AAPA President and CEO, along with the association’s government relations team went to Capitol Hill for the first Congressional Ports Opportunity, Renewal, Trade, and Security (PORTS) Caucus event of the 117th Session of Congress. PORTS Caucus co-chairs Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and Representative Randy Weber (R-TX) (pictured, left, with AAPA’s Chris Connor) hosted the event. AAPA’s team addressed a room of about 30 key congressional staff from districts around the country, exploring legislation and policy issues impacting ports.

Portos do Paraná in Brazil is formed by the ports of Paranaguá and Antonina. Its current management model follows guidelines set by the port owners, where the port authority offers the necessary structure for cargo movement activities.

 

Terminales Río de la Plata (TRP) is located in Puerto Nuevo, Buenos Aires, capital of the Argentine Republic, and is made up of DP World, Latin American Infrastructure Fund and other international partners. DP World, responsible for the management of the terminal, is one of the main port terminal operators, with a team of more than 50,000 people working in 150 operations around the world, whose operations include ports and terminals, but also industrial parks, logistics and economic zones, maritime and marine services.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance handled a total of 344,280 TEUs, growing 19.9% compared to June 2020. Full imports increased 28.6%, while full exports decreased 19.2%, reflecting trends up and down the West Coast. PhilaPort marked a new cargo milestone, handling a total of 67,446 TEUs in June, an increase of 33% compared to June 2020, and topping its previous record of 66,841 TEUs in August 2020. For the first time in its history, the Port of Savannah has moved 5.3 million TEUs, growing cargo volumes by 20% in FY 2021, or nearly 900,000 TEUs compared to the previous year. June’s cargo tonnage at the South Jersey Port Corporation more than doubled compared to June 2020, for an overall 29% year-to-date increase. Cargo tonnage for June 2021 was 384,630 s/tons, and year-to-date tonnage through June totaled 2,230,727 s/tons.

Massport is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Community Summer Jobs Program, which has supported thousands of local students through partnerships with community organizations. This year, 25 organizations are receiving grants to support nearly 300 seasonal jobs. The Port of Montréal is participating in the Inside Out Project launched by French artist JR. Montréal’s version of the public art display, entitled Les Visages de Montréal, aims to honor the resilience of Montréal following the months-long pandemic.

Konecranes’ new hybrid technology was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency after a comprehensive testing protocol conducted by West Virginia University (WVU) at South Carolina Ports. Konecranes partnered with WVU to test and measure RTG exhaust emissions using the new technology that offers significant carbon emission reductions and lower operating costs, without compromising performance.

The Montréal Port Authority welcomes the return of cruises set to resume November 1, according to Canada’s federal transportation department. The Port of Montréal has 36 international calls scheduled for 2022 that could bring up to 48,000 passengers, depending on each ship’s occupancy rate. The Port of Palm Beach announced Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Classica completed its first 2-night cruise since the pandemic halted operations 16 months ago.

The Port of Los Angeles launched “Horizon,” a long-term cargo volume predictive feature of its Port Optimizer™ Control Tower data tool. The new module offers cargo owners, terminal operators, truckers and other supply chain stakeholders the capability to gauge movement of containers — imports, exports and empties — at the port up to six months in advance.

In June, Galveston Wharves became Green Marine certified, making it the second Texas port to participate in the program. The port is already planning or working on a number of environmental initiatives including renewable energy, shore power, a LEED certified cruise terminal, LNG fuel production and bunkering as well as reducing waste and adding alternative fuel vehicles to its fleet.

Port Milwaukee welcomes new port tenant Marek Landscaping with a focus on green infrastructure, waterfront restoration and coastal resiliency. As part of the long-term lease agreement, Marek Landscaping will contribute $3 million in new economic development.

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and the Port of Caddo-Bossier are partnering together to facilitate cargo flow between the ports. Recently, Port NOLA discharged 300 steel coils to barge at Coastal Cargo breakbulk and heavy-lift terminal at the Louisiana Avenue Complex that were transported upriver and off-loaded at the Port of Caddo-Bossier in Shreveport.

The Port of Los Angeles has extended the public comment period to August 25 to provide additional opportunity to comment on a Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) Project. SCIG is a proposed BNSF intermodal rail yard facility that would be located on a site near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, with direct access to the Alameda Rail Corridor.

For the second time in four years, the Port of San Diego has been awarded National Accreditation through the American Public Works Association (APWA). The accreditation program formally recognizes public works agencies for compliance with nationally recognized management practices and for implementing processes that go beyond these industry standards.

Harbor Director, Channel Islands, Ventura, CA; Ventura County Harbor Department

Professor, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, Honolulu, HI